(Jpost).No meetings between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, or senior-level officials on either side, are expected until after the US completes its Middle East policy review, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
This is true even though Netanyahu said in Washington that he was ready to begin negotiations with the Palestinians immediately, and even though Yitzhak Molcho has unofficially been appointed his envoy on the Palestinian issue.
Molcho, along with National Security Adviser Uzi Arad and Intelligence Services Minister Dan Meridor returned Wednesday from London and a meeting with George Mitchell and his staff.
The meeting centered on Iran and the settlements issue, and follow-up meetings are expected next week.
Netanyahu is said to be interested in holding off on his first meeting with Abbas until various issues are settled with the Americans, including the settlement issue, and what authorities a future Palestinian state would have to give up.
